SC546 - Applications of Coherent Distributed Fiber Sensing in Optical Communication Networks
07 Mar 2027
08:30 - 12:30
Short Course Topics
S4: Fiber-Sensing and Microwave Photonics
N1: Advances in the Development of Networks, Systems and Services
N5: Market Watch, Network Operator Summit and Data Center Summit (INVITED PROGRAM ONLY)
Short Course Level
Advanced Beginner
Short Course Description
This short course focuses on fiber sensing utilizing the deployed active fiber-optic telecommunication network. Specifically, the curriculum emphasizes distributed fiber sensing through the analysis of backscattered light from optical fibers, with a primary concentration on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). The course will briefly review the core principles of distributed fiber sensing, assuming that the students have basic familiarity with concepts such as DAS and OTDR as well as general knowledge about optical fibers.
The core part of the course is devoted to interpretation and analysis of fiber sensing data. This includes all steps from the recording of phase changes from the Rayleigh backscattered light to advanced analysis using array processing with techniques such as F-K domain processing and beamforming. We will cover a diverse set of signal processing techniques, outlining the fundamental processing steps needed to leverage DAS data for a diverse set of applications. The students will also get entry-level knowledge into implementation considerations and trade-offs to perform all DAS data processing in real-time using edge and cloud compute.
Furthermore, it will explore diverse use-cases across both terrestrial and subsea networks. The objective is to acquaint participants with the concept of distributed fiber sensing, its underlying optical technologies, and the potential advantages of implementing network-scale fiber sensing. Applications discussed will include prospective enhancements in network reliability and performance, as well as the enablement of novel applications beyond traditional telecommunications.
Topics covered:
Brief Introduction to network-scale distributed fiber sensing
- Overview - Network as a sensor
- Key components
- Co-existance with telecom traffic
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Interrogators
- Coherent measurements of Rayleigh backscattering
- Processing steps: From backscatter to strain-rate
- DAS data storage, file format and management
- Performance Metrics: Noise fl oor characterization, real-time edge/cloud pipelines, and quantitative benchmarking of sensing systems.
Analysis of DAS data
- Waterfall plots and interpretation
- Time-space and Frequency-wavenumber domains
- Filtering and waveform stacking
- Beamforming applications
- Feature recognition
- Applications of Machine Learning (ML) on DAS data
- CPU vs GPU for large-scale data analysis
Use-cases of network-scale fiber sensing
- Network protection
- Seismic monitoring and earthquake/tsunami early warning applications
- Environmental monitoring
- Infrastructure monitoring
- Disaster effect mitigation
Short Course Benefits
- Foundational understanding of the core processing steps involved in DAS data analysis
- Develop an understanding of how to leverage the high-density coherent sensing array created by equipping standard telecom fibers with standard DAS interrogators
- Discuss key aspects of network-scale fiber sensing, including co-existence of fiber sensing with the telecom channels
- Understanding of how fiber sensing can be used to improve network reliability
- List several non-telecom applications that can be enabled by enabling fiber sensing using the deployed fiber-grid
Short Course Audience
This course is designed for engineers, scientists, managers, and students. Participants should have a foundational understanding of optical fibers and communication systems. In addition, knowledge of the key principles of distributed fiber-optic sensing is needed. Students also need to have familiarity with basic concepts in signal processing such as filtering and Fourier transforms as well as experience with computational environments like Python. The course will explore how existing optical networks can be utilized for fiber sensing, without requiring prior knowledge of fiber sensing techniques. Upon completion, attendees will possess a thorough understanding of the capabilities and difficulties associated with network-scale fiber sensing.
Instructor
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Martin Karrenbach
Seismics Unusual,
Dr. Martin Karrenbach is CEO/CTO of Seismics Unusual, where he specializes in developing novel photonic sensing techniques, including algorithms, software, and data analysis for fiber-optic sensing. His work provides diverse organizations with strategic planning, R&D, and field data acquisition services. Previously, he served as Sr. Manager of Innovations at OptaSense, overseeing the development of long-range DAS-based real-time processing systems, and held roles in borehole seismic technology development at SR2020 Inc. He has also contributed to academia as adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California, teaching “Geophysics for Petroleum Engineers.” Dr. Karrenbach holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from Stanford University, an M.Sc. from the University of Houston, and a Vordiplom from Karlsruhe University. He is a life member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the Seismological Society of America, and a member of EAGE, AGU, JPGU, and IEEE.
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Mikael Mazur
Nokia Bell Labs, United States
Dr. Mikael Mazur received his PhD from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden in 2019. In his dissertation he studied optical frequency combs in optical communications, focusing on multi-wavelength signal processing schemes enabled by the comb coherence. In Jan 2020 he joined Bell Labs, NJ, as a member of technical staff in the advanced photonics research department. Currently his main research focuses developing novel fiber-optic sensing systems and real-time signal processing to seamlessly integrate sensing within optical data transmission infrastructure. With a particular focus on leveraging submarine cables, he is actively researching real-time deep-ocean monitoring for critical applications in environmental, oceanographic and geophysical investigations, and the development of cutting-edge tsunami and earthquake early warning systems. He is a member of IEEE, OPTICA and the SSA. He is also an active member of the Joint Task Force on SMART cables as well as the Suboptic working group on Sensing using Operational Subsea Cables.